27/06/2026
Marc Marquez Admits Lacking Comfort at Assen: "The Risks are Too High"
Marc Marquez confessed that he did not enjoy riding at the Assen Circuit in the Netherlands. The MotoGP icon stated that the risks on the legendary track were simply too great, leading him to prioritize a cautious approach on the opening day of the 2026 Dutch GP.
Marquez's recent positive momentum faced a minor setback during Friday's practice sessions (26/6/2026). The Ducati Lenovo rider suffered a crash in FP1 before managing to conclude the afternoon Practice session in sixth place overall.
Despite finishing sixth, Marquez expressed satisfaction, noting that his primary objective was merely securing direct entry into Q2. "My target was to finish inside the top 10. Once I saw my lap time was safe enough, I chose to remain in the garage. Tomorrow is another day," Marquez said, as reported by Crash.net.
"I realized immediately that this is a circuit where I typically struggle. This year looks to be even more challenging than previous seasons. So, the goal right now is simply survival," he added.
Feeling Uncomfortable on Track
Marquez explained that the nature of the Assen track conflicts with his riding style. According to the Spanish rider, the narrow layout, high-speed sections, and rapid succession of direction changes mean that even a minor miscalculation can carry severe consequences.
"This track is too fast, the changes of direction are incredibly quick, and it’s very narrow. If you make a small mistake, the price you pay is extremely high."
"I am definitely not riding comfortably, but I can still manage a decent pace. I feel okay in the first sector, but in sectors two, three, and four, I am genuinely not enjoying it," Marquez admitted.
"It’s a circuit I don't particularly like, even though I've won here in the past. It’s ultra-fast, narrow, and the run-off areas are filled with very large gravel. It complies with regulations, but... this is the kind of track that makes me wish for rain. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem likely this year. So yes, we are just trying to survive."
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📷 Marc Márquez
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